Page 12 of Mail-Order Avis (A Mail-Order Mystery #3)

Twelve

I t wasn’t bad enough that Hattie had interrupted what was sure to be her first kiss, but then that Lola DeWitt came back, and with a man no less. Was it her brother? They scowled at the other patrons as they waited for their orders.

Avis ducked back into the kitchen. “We’ve got a full dining room.”

“Of course we do,” Hattie said. “The food’s good, the company too, and this place is downright charming. Who wouldn’t want to eat here?”

Avis smiled at that. “Thank you, Hattie.”

“Only dark spot on the whole thing are those two harbingers of ill will out there.”

Avis’ eyebrows shot up. “Who?” Though she could guess.

“Don’t know their names, but they’re in fancy clothes and have dark hair. They look related.”

“The DeWitts,” she said on a sigh. “Reed told me about them.”

“Well, they keep complaining to the customers around them. The woman was in here earlier, I remember her.”

“Yes, she was. Reed knows them.”

“He’d be better off not knowing them, if you ask me.” Hattie grabbed some orders and left the kitchen.

Avis went to the worktable and sliced more roast beef. She’d have to deal with the troublemakers herself. Were they the type to gripe about everything, or had they been drinking? Then again, Fiddler’s Gap didn’t have a saloon, so they likely just had sour dispositions.

She prepared a few more orders and passed them off to Hattie when she returned. She did the same for one of Cora Belle’s tables, then got back to making more mashed potatoes. Everyone was ordering the special, just as she thought they would. They were having their best day yet!

Reed stepped into the kitchen. “I’m still making you dinner.”

She laughed. “I’m too busy to eat.”

“Then it’ll be a late dinner.” He gently bumped her out of the way and took over mashing the potatoes. “I see the DeWitts are here.”

“Yes, and Hattie says they’re complaining to anyone who’ll listen.”

“What?” He gave her a hard stare, set down the potato masher, and left the kitchen.

“Oh no, Reed…” Avis followed but stopped at the kitchen door and peeked out.

Reed was already at the DeWitts’ table. He was smiling as he spoke to them. Both were smiling back.

Avis shook her head. “I swear that man can charm anyone.” She retreated into the kitchen and got back to work.

When he returned, he winked and resumed mashing potatoes.

“What did you say to them?”

He smiled. “I reminded them that they aren’t from here, and that if they’re thinking of opening a business in town one day, they’d best endear themselves to the locals instead of giving the impression they’re a couple of grumps.”

Avis giggled. “You didn’t.”

“I did.”

Cora Belle entered the kitchen, grabbed her orders, and left. Reed watched her go. “I’ll get started on your dinner in a little bit. When it’s ready, I’ll take over so you can sit and eat.”

Avis’ chest warmed. “That’s sweet of you, Reed. Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.” He smiled again. “I enjoy doing things for you.”

Avis blushed. “I appreciate those things more than you know.” They got back to work, and she realized how comforting it was to have him nearby.

The rest of the evening passed without incident, and soon Reed was shooing her to the kitchen table. He served her a steak, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. It looked and smelled wonderful. The steak cut like butter and practically melted in her mouth. “Reed, this is incredible. Perfect, in fact.”

“Thank you. I do love a good steak. Got good at making them when I managed our family’s restaurant.”

“Thank you so much.” She ate and found herself relaxing as he continued to fill orders.

When the last customers finally left the café, Hattie and Cora Belle came into the kitchen and sat.

“That was something,” Hattie said. “My feet are sore!”

“Mine too,” Cora Belle said, wiping sweat from her brow.

“Ladies, you deserve a little bonus.” Reed pulled out his billfold and gave them each a few dollars.

“Reed, you don’t have to do that,” Avis said.

“It’s all right. They’ve earned it.” He smiled at Hattie and Cora Belle.

“Thank you, Mr. Barclay,” Cora Belle said with a blush.

“Much obliged.” Hattie stuffed the money into her apron pocket. “Now we’d best clean things up. I want to get home.” She pushed herself out of her chair and headed back into the dining room.

Cora Belle did the same, leaving Avis and Reed alone again.

“Well,” Avis said. “This was some evening.” She went to the sink and prepared the dish tub.

Reed joined her and began to roll up his sleeves.

She watched him a moment. “I’m going to miss having you around.”

He stopped. “What do you mean?”

“Once you become mayor, you won’t have time to help me out.” She gave him a half smile and stirred the dishwater.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” he said, and got to work.

Avis kept quiet. She could hope he meant he wanted to see more of her, but she highly doubted it. He was being kind and felt guilty for what happened. It was a mystery he wanted to solve, so of course he’d have to spend time with her to do it.

She fought a sigh. He also wanted to make sure she ran the café properly. That was the real reason he was here. But…he did make her dinner.

Hattie brought in a tray of dirty dishes and set them on the worktable. “Cora Belle’s wiping down tables. I’m going to sweep now.” She grabbed a broom and disappeared.

Avis blushed. Hattie hadn’t said a word since walking in on her and Reed’s almost-kiss. She smiled, and her blush deepened. Thankfully, Reed didn’t seem to notice. He did the dishes, and she dried.

When they were done and Hattie and Cora Belle had left, Reed stood in the middle of the dining room. “It’s curious, Lyle and Lola’s behavior earlier.”

“How so? Are they always so unpleasant?”

Reed shook his head. “I’ve seen them often enough to know that Lyle’s a crafty fella. And Lola…” He rolled his eyes. “She’s got only one thing on her mind.”

“What’s that?”

“Herself.”

Avis smiled at that. “She seems the type. I just wish they hadn’t complained to the other customers before they even tried the food.”

“Yes, that’s what’s curious,” Reed said. “It’s as if they were trying to discredit the place.”

Avis thought a moment and shook her head in dismay. “Some people have too much time on their hands.” She looked at Reed. “You don’t think they’ll go back to Baker City complaining about the café, do you?”

“It’s hard to say what those two will do. Maybe Lyle lost a deal, and it put him in a bad mood.”

“Deal?”

“He buys and sells just about everything—livestock, land, businesses. In fact, I’m surprised he’s still around. I would have thought Lyle and Lola would’ve moved on to bigger and better things. Like San Francisco.”

“Maybe that’s too big,” Avis said with a laugh. She headed for the front door. “Thank you for all your help this evening, Reed.”

He joined her. “It was my pleasure. I’ll be busy with Samuel tomorrow, so you won’t see me much.”

“That’s all right. There won’t be a special tomorrow night.” She smiled and turned to the door. They stepped outside, locked up, and began strolling toward the Murray House.

“Fiddler’s Gap has turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said.

“And to me,” he replied. “By the way, I’m still a shoo-in for mayor.”

Avis giggled. “No one brave enough to run against you?”

“No one dumb enough, you mean. Sometimes I want to talk myself out of it. The job won’t be that hard. I just hope I don’t get bored.”

She lowered her head. “What happens if you do?”

He shrugged. “Then I’ll have to find something else to do.”

Her heart sank. Did that mean he would leave Fiddler’s Gap?

When they reached the boardinghouse, he told her good night and went up to his room. Avis retreated to hers as well. She planned to take a bath and go to bed.

While she was undressing, her gaze fell upon the scrap of paper and notes she’d found at the café. She meant to throw them away. They meant nothing, and she saw no reason to keep them at this point.

She picked up the notes and the scrap with the initials “L.L.” and headed for the trash basket—then stopped. “L.L.?” she gasped. “Lola and Lyle?” Could it be?

Her mind raced. But how could it? They didn’t live in Fiddler’s Gap and only ventured out on occasion. What would they have to do with anything?

Still, something nagged at her. Avis put on her robe, left her room, and marched across the hall.

She knocked on Reed’s door. He opened it, took one look at her, and his eyes widened. “Avis.” He peeked into the hallway, took her by the arm, and pulled her into his room. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…well, maybe something.” She handed him the notes and scrap of paper. “The initials L.L. are on these. Do you think they have anything to do with Lyle and Lola?”

He looked them over. “Where did you find these?”

“The scrap of paper was in the fireplace at the café. It looked like someone had burned some letters. I don’t know why I kept it. The note about watching the papers I found that in the hutch one day. The other one was in the pantry. I believe they were all meant for Walter Penrose.”

“Hmmm. Perhaps.” He held up the first note. “‘Watch the papers.’ What does that mean?”

She shrugged. “The newspapers?”

Reed nodded. “And this one about asking questions?”

“I found that one in the pantry,” she admitted. “After we stocked it.”

His eyes widened again. “What?!”

“I thought maybe we missed it. Why would anyone write me a note like that?”

“Well, you were asking questions at the time. As was I.” He studied the notes again, his brow furrowed. “I don’t like this.” He set the notes on the dresser, then took her by the arms. “You’ll tell me if you receive any more of these?”

“Of course. But…what do they mean?” His hands were warm, and their heat seeped through the fabric of her robe and into her skin. She liked it.

“Could they have been threatening Walter?” he mused aloud. “But why would they?”

“Lola and Lyle?”

He nodded. “Yes…” Reed released her and began to pace. “They were interested in the café when Walter was managing it.”

“Do you think they tried to scare him off?” Avis thought a moment. “But that makes no sense. Why didn’t they take over the café as soon as he was gone? Why wait?”

“That’s a good question.” Reed crossed to the small table and chairs near the window. He pulled one out for her and motioned for her to sit.

Avis did, her eyes never leaving his. “I don’t understand. Why take over a café when they don’t even live here?”

“They could move easily enough. Perhaps they were in the process of finding a place when you came along.”

“Oh.” She nodded slowly. “That makes sense. No wonder they were making snide remarks about the place. Lola did the same thing when she first showed up.” She gave him a lopsided smile. “You hadn’t yet.”

He smiled back. “I see.” Reed sat across from her.

“I’ll do some checking. Mr. Beeks, he’s the land clerk in town, he’d know if Lyle and Lola have any interest in land or houses here.

But as far as I know, nothing’s for sale, and no one’s mentioned the DeWitts looking to build out here.

” He reached across the table and took her hands.

“In the meantime, I want you to be careful.”

Avis gasped. “Of what?”

He looked her in the eyes. “Of anyone trying to dissuade you from managing the café and bakery.”